Four battling for 2 seats on Los Alamitos council

LOS ALAMITOS Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Los Alamitos City Council in next week's election. They consist of an incumbent, a former mayor who renounced his post following a national controversy, an active council watcher and a newcomer to city politics.

Councilman Ken Stephens is looking to retain his seat. Former Mayor Dean Grose, who resigned in 2009 after forwarding an email with a cartoon of a watermelon patch in front of the White House, is seeking his old seat for the second time.

They square off against Richard Murphy, a local real estate broker who has been an active participant during City Council meetings, and Demi Devaney, a Realtor who served on a city commission in Cypress before moving to Los Alamitos. Councilwoman Marilynn Poe is not seeking re-election.

In the 2010 race, Grose came in fourth place, but he lost a spot on the council by fewer than 100 votes.

In interviews and in a recent candidates' forum, Grose said he apologized to the African American businesswoman to whom he sent the email and said he has “a great deal more sensitivity now.”

Since his resignation, Grose has continued to be active in local affairs, including holding a post on the Orange County GOP Central Committee and working as chairman of the Regional Military Affairs Committee.

He is endorsed by the Orange County GOP, the Orange County Firefighters Association, conservative groups and prominent Republicans, including Assemblyman Jim Silva, Congressman Tom Harman and O.C. Supervisor John Moorlach.

But in a local blog,
letsfixlosal.com, some residents have expressed concern that electing him would be embarrassing to Los Alamitos following the national flap caused by his email.

In a city where the council is so deeply divided that one agenda item last year was labeled “cessation of hostilities,” the candidates were asked both for the Register's Voters Guide and in a League of Women's Voters candidates' forum how they would heal the rift.

Devaney said she would propose closed-door meetings to resolve personal issues. During the forum, she said council members can “put our minds together.”

Grose said divisive issues “have been resolved, and it is time to move forward for the benefit of our citizens.”

Murphy said it is his goal to “bring civility back to the council” and listen to the varying points of view on the dais and from the public.

Stephens said the council is “united in doing the business of the city.” During the forum, he said the council should find common ground to heal the rift.

The council split 2-2 last year, with Poe abstaining, over a proposal to create a downtown area on Los Alamitos Boulevard between Katella and Cerritos avenues by narrowing the boulevard – something critics said would create a traffic mess.

Here are the candidates' responses to how they would vote if the issue resurfaces:

Devaney said she was “not sure” and added she did not “see any open/vacant acre of land on that particular area.”

Grose said he supports “a center of town,” and that north of Katella Avenue is the best spot.

Murphy said he is “not convinced” that the city has a “complete concept,” so “before spending any more money, we must get the correct mix of destinations that will make people want to stroll our city.”

Stephens said he would “have to review all the reports on traffic impact to our residents and neighbor cities” before deciding. Stephens voted for the downtown proposal in July 2011.

On the issue of creating a “supercity” of Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Rossmoor – an idea favored by Supervisor John Moorlach but spurned by both Seal Beach and Rossmoor – Devaney is the only candidate in support. Grose and Stephens said services could be combined, but neither advocates a supercity. Murphy said he strongly disagrees with the idea and believes that unincorporated Rossmoor should determine how it wants to be governed.

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